MONROE CO.– On May 16th, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the western and south-central parts of Monroe County were struck by an EF-2 tornado and high winds, causing the loss of homes, buildings, and property to our residents.
The Board of Commissioners has signed a local disaster declaration and is active.
Disaster Recovery Center Opening Tuesday, June 3rd at 10:00 a.m.
The United States Small Business Administration has declared a disaster assistance declaration for Monroe County and surrounding counties. This declaration will open up low-interest and long-term loans to help businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofits recover from the May 16th tornado. A Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be located in Monroe County, where residents who were impacted can come and apply for assistance from both the Small Business Administration and the State Disaster Relief Fund.
The State Disaster Relief Fund will also provide financial assistance for those who may qualify. The Disaster Recovery Center will be located at the Ivy Tech Community College main campus building, 200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN 47404, in room B201. Residents who were impacted by the May 16th tornado can enter through the main entrance (door #1) and check in at the front desk to be directed to their designated room. The Disaster Recovery Center will be open starting Tuesday, June 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. and will close permanently on Friday, June 18th, at 3:00 p.m. The center’s hours of operation will be as follows: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The center will be closed on Sundays. Everyone is encouraged to go there to seek information about potential assistance opportunities.
Debris Cleanup and Disposal
Residents affected by this storm are responsible for their cleanup of debris. There will be three locations identified within the tornado path, with two dumpsters per site. One dumpster for yard and tree waste, and another for home debris. Those will only be available for two weeks, ending on Friday, June 6th. A 4th site is available by appointment only at 7740 North Fish Road, Bloomington, IN 47408.
Residents can call the Monroe County Waste Reduction District at 812-349-2020 to schedule an appointment to drop off their tree and vegetation debris.
Do not drag your debris to the road’s edge, as Monroe County is not responsible for the removal
of private property debris.
One set of dumpsters will be located between Elwren and Harmony Road. A second set of dumpsters will be located near the area of E. Jackson Creek Drive and S. Sandpiper Drive. A third set of dumpsters is situated at the Lighthouse Christian Academy.
Storm Relief Supplies Available for Pick up
There is still a limited supply of tarps and totes that are available. If you need tarps or totes, you can request them by calling the Emergency Management Office at 812-349-2533. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail.
